Very Private Duty by Rochelle Alers Page A

be all right.” Gus had been in surgery for more than two hours.
    Turning her head, she smiled at him. “I want to thank you for being here for me.”
    “There’s…”
    The cardiologist walked into the waiting room preempting whatever it was Jeremy planned to say. Tricia stood up on trembling legs as Jeremy came to his feet.
    She bit down on her lower lip, gathering courage. “How is my grandfather?”
    He offered her a comforting smile. “He has been stabilized and is in the intensive care unit.”
    “When can I see him?”
    “Not until tomorrow.”
    A flicker of apprehension coursed through Tricia. “What aren’t you telling me, Dr. Lawrence?”
    “It’s apparent your grandfather suffered a mild heart attack in the past which weakened the heart wall. He’s going to have to take it easy so the muscles can heal.”
    “My grandfather never had a heart attack,” she argued softly.
    “Perhaps he’d experienced chest pains in the past but ignored them. But I can assure you that there is evidence of some heart damage.”
    “How long will Mr. Parker have to remain in the hospital?” Jeremy asked as he moved closer to Tricia’s side.
    “At least a week,” Dr. Lawrence replied, “followed by a minimum of six weeks of limited activity. After he’s reevaluated, then he will have to undergo physical therapy that will help him regain some endurance.” He stared at Tricia. “Is there someone at home who can take care of him?”
    “I’ll take care of him,” she said, not hesitating. Her grandfather’s heart attack meant she would not return to Baltimore as planned. “I’m going to need medical documentation to take Family Leave.”
    “You can pick up a form at the business office in the morning.” The cardiologist patted her shoulder. “Go home and get some rest. We’ll make certainyour grandfather receives the best medical care available today.”
    She managed a weak smile. “Thank you, Dr. Lawrence.” He nodded, turned and walked away.
    “Gus can move into my house,” Jeremy said close to her ear. “I already have the hospital bed and a wheelchair.”
    Tricia gave him a startled look. “Where will you sleep?”
    “I can sleep on the daybed while you can use an upstairs bedroom. I’ll make certain someone will keep Gus’s place clean and aired out until he’s able to live alone.”
    She was puzzled by Jeremy’s offer to open his house for her grandfather’s convalescence. “Why are you doing this, Jeremy? You and my grandfather have never been fond of each other.”
    “How Gus and I feel about each other is irrelevant, because he is still a member of the farm’s extended family. Just like you are,” he added in a soft tone. “And you know we always look out for one another.”
    Tricia nodded. “You’re right.” She managed a weak smile. “Thank you.”
    His gaze widened. “There’s no need to thank me. I would do the same for anyone at Blackstone Farms.”
    Tricia did not know why, but at that moment she did not want Jeremy to offer his home to Gus just because the elderly man had been a long-time employee of Blackstone Farms. She wanted it to be because he still felt something for her beyond their sleeping together.
    She had promised to give him the next three weeks when in reality she wanted it to be the rest of her life. The harder she had tried to ignore the truth the more it nagged at her, for it had taken only one night of passionate lovemaking to conclude that she still loved Jeremy and would love him for the rest of her life.
     
    Sheldon walked into the waiting room as silently as a large cat. He stopped, watching the interaction between his son and Tricia. Clearing his throat, he moved closer as Tricia and Jeremy sprang apart. “If there’s anything you need me to do for you and Gus, just ask, Tricia.”
    Tricia smiled at Sheldon. “Thank you, but Jeremy has offered to let Grandpa stay in his house until he’s able to live alone again.”
    Sheldon lifted an eyebrow,